[discobay]

I am travelling to the US and maybe to Canada too. I have a HK and UK driving licenses so can I use either of these or do I need an International Driving Permit?

[Meriadoc]

I dunno about your HK license, but your I believe your UK license will be fine for both, 60 days in Canada and 1 year in US. I have an australian license but I was 'recommended to get an IDP' but I have never been asked for it. I am sure google can give you the answer for sure.

[PDLM]

Foreign driving licences in English (or French for Canada) are accepted (although you sometimes get some strange looks with the old-style UK ones without the photo). If you have the new-style UK one then you need both parts in order to rent a car.

[discobay]

Made two phone calls to the Transport Department. The first was answered with a definate yes to getting the IDP the second was non-commital and (correctly) suggested that I contact the relevant embassies.

[yu270322]

Nope, the hk licence is not good in Canada at least... you're required to use an international licence which will be good for 3 months, if you plan to stay longer, just get a driver's licence at whereever you'll be and it's good for the whole North America, but the UK one's fine

[obviouspig]

Originally Posted by discobay

I am travelling to the US and maybe to Canada too. I have a HK and UK driving licenses so can I use either of these or do I need an International Driving Permit?

If u are driving rental cars, the HK driver's license is fine. You can see, for instance, from Hertz/Avis' website -- as long as ur driver's license is in English, you don't need an IDP.

If u are driving your friends' / family's cars and want their insurance coverage, then (almost always) none of your available options (UK/HK/IDP) will work.

If you are immigrating and buying a new car with your own insurance coverage, then follow what the others have written (but I dont think this is what u're after).

[PDLM]

This Canadian Government website says that the only foreign driving licence that is valid is a USA one, so apparently even a UK licence won't work - you need an IDP:
http://www.explore.canada.travel/ctc...13&localeId=16

Although having said that, the car hire sites do indeed imply that any national driving licence in English is OK for international travellers, so either a UK or HK licence would seem to fit...
http://www.nationalcar.ca/itemDetails.do?HelpItemID=DLR

[discobay]

That National page implies that an IDP is required.
I would like to see the Avis or Hertz pages if anyone has the urls.

[cerberus]

not implied, you need an int'l license plus your own license, and it's supposedly only good for thirty days in most states, although cops rarely, nigh never look at passports to check.

in previous eras, a non-US license got you a stern look and a "geddout of here, can't be bothered with the paperwork", but now it may be different.

[discobay]

Avis have replied to say that both the HK and UK licenses will suffice.